World Briefs

Royal couple Prince William and Kate Middleton are head over wheels in love in this Valentine’s Day stunt.

The happy pair are all revved up and pictured getting to the church on time on a retro scooter.

The young lovers, set to marry at Westminster Abbey on Friday 29 April, were beamed on to the side of the church on Friday night by a scooter firm. The 82-foot projection covered the Abbey’s south west facing side stopping passers-by and traffic with amusement.

Sophie Goodale, of scooter.co.uk said: “We wanted to wish the royal couple a Happy Valentine’s Day and all the very best for their impending wedding in April.” (PA)

‘Sorry we’re closed’

A would-be bank robber was foiled by a teller who shut the security door and told him the bank was closing.

The man gave the teller a note written on a ripped paper plate that said “This is a robbery”. But the teller put down the security curtain, told the man the branch was closing and closed the security screen door. The man fled empty-handed.

The attempted robbery happened in the US city of Cranston in the state of Rhode Island. Police are hunting the man. (PA)

Love bugs

Couples in America are being urged to forget flowers, chocolates and lingerie if they want to win the affections of their sweetheart on Valentine’s Day.

The Bronx Zoo in New York believes a Madagascar hissing cockroach is the best way to ensure that Cupid’s arrow hits the target. Spokesman John Calvelli said: “Nothing says forever like a cockroach.”

The Wildlife Conservation Society runs the New York City zoo and is raising funds by offering the public the chance to name the huge cockroaches. In return for each name, it is asking for a $10 donation. (PA)

Rat stowaway

Alaska Airlines had to delay a flight about to leave Seattle-Tacoma International Airport when a rat was seen scurrying in the cabin.

The airline said the flight from Seattle to Denver had just pulled away from the gate when the rat was spotted. The 737 jetliner returned to the terminal and passengers and crew boarded another plane about 90 minutes later.

Airline spokesman Bobbie Egan said the plane will not be returned to service until maintenance workers make sure the rat did not damage equipment or chew any wires – and an exterminator certifies the plane is rodent-free. (PA)

Hot dogs

The craze for owning small dogs as fashion accessories has led to an explosion in the number of chihuahuas in Los Angeles, where tiny canines are everywhere.

But now an animal-friendly philanthropist has come to their rescue, organising an airlift of diminutive pooches abandoned by impatient owners in California – jetting them off by private plane to Canada.

The phenomenon has in­creased after films like Legally Blonde and Beverly Hills Chihuahua, says Madeline Bernstein of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Los Angeles (spcaLA).

To make it worse, “a significant number of young celebrities like Paris Hilton, Britney Spears, they started to get out with these little dogs like accessories,” she said.

“The problem is, they are not accessories, they are dogs... and young people want them as if they were a nice bag, then they get tired... and leave the dogs in the streets or shelters.” (AFP)

£5m diamond

A box of chocolates and a bunch of flowers may cut it for some, but for more demanding partners there is gift that is guaranteed to impress – a 56-carat heart-shaped diamond.

The gem has a hefty price tag, with the likely buyer expected to pay in excess of £5 million.

But there is still a bit of time to save up, with Christie’s selling the item in Geneva in May. (PA)

Smart computer

Computer wizards say they have used cutting-edge technology to create a smart alec website.

The “trueknowledge.com” site is an internet “answer engine” which breaks new ground by giving direct answers to direct questions, according to creators.

Co-founder William Tunstall-Pedoe, who is based in Cambridge, says the website is a “phone-a-friend” on the internet which can answer “trillions” of questions. (PA)